How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin For Good!

Keep skin hydrated, healthy and full of radiance with our round-up of expert beauty tips and skincare advice on how to get rid of dry skin

How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin

Tightness, poor skintone and premature ageing – they’re just some of the unwelcome side effects of dry skin. ‘As we get older, our skin tends to lose its natural moisture as our oil glands start to slow down, making skin drier and therefore more prone to fine lines,’ explains Simple skincare expert Caroline Frazer.‘Also, oestrogen levels often drop after the menopause, which affects our skin’s ability to hold on to moisture. So as we get older, it’s even more important to moisturise at least once a day.’ Luckily, help is at hand – and it’s easy to find. As Atoshi Ghosal, Dove skincare expert, says: ‘While there are many causes of dry skin, some of which are beyond our control, understanding how to care for your skin can help to alleviate the symptoms and give you soft, smooth and beautiful skin.'Dry skin can be such a bore but with a few simple changes, your skin will transform from dull and flaky into bright and radiant. If you're prepared to tweak your beauty regime and introduce a few miracle-working beauty products, dry skin could instantly become a thing of the past. Learn how to get rid of dry skin for good with our round-up of nourishing treatments and expert beauty tips.

Avoid hot water

Keeping the temperature of your bath or shower in check can help to prevent dryness. ‘Washing in water that’s too hot removes essential moisturisers from your skin,’ says Atoshi. ‘These moisturisers act like mini sponges, so without them your skin won’t retain water,’ says Atoshi. Consultant dermatologist Dr Mayou agrees. ‘Stick to tepid or cool water,’ she says. ‘And try not to stay in the bath for a long time as this will remove the natural oils in your skin, disrupting your skin’s moisture barrier, leaving it more susceptible to dryness.’

Cleansers that don’t dry your skin

Traditional soaps can disturb the skin’s PH balance, upsetting its barrier function and making dryness more likely. Maintain its delicate acid/alkaline balance by cleansing your body with a PH-neutral product.
Try Sanex Hypo Allergenic Shower Gel, £1.57 for 500ml, which is free from soap and colourants.

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Woman moistursing legs

Look after your legs

The skin on the legs is especially susceptible to dryness as it has relatively few oil-producing glands. ‘Shaving removes the top layer of dead skin cells along with the hair,’ explains P&G beauty medical adviser Dr John Gray. ‘Without those extra cells, your skin’s surface is compromised, and your skin can lose moisture.’
Applying a shaving gel or cream can help combat the drying effects of shaving, as can using Gillette Venus Embrace, £8.99, which has five-blade technology to help you achieve the closest shave possible, plus a protective ribbon of moisture surrounding the blades.

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Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion For Dry Skin

Choosing the right body lotion

‘A good moisturiser is paramount if you want to keep your skin in good condition,’ says Caroline. ‘A quality hydrator will act as a barrier against the elements and can prevent dryness.’ Try Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion For Dry Skin, from £5.45 for 400ml. It's fastabsorbing, long-lasting and designed to reach the deeper layers of the skin.

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Dead Sea Spa Magik Skin Softener

Opt for ultra-rich

Very dry skin needs extra TLC and Dead Sea Spa Magik Skin Softener, is just the thing to provide it. It contains magnesium to soothe and calm, plus potassium and sodium to help boost the skin’s water content. It’s also mildly medicated to help soothe minor irritations.
Dead Sea Spa Magik Skin Softener, £10.95 for 330ml

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Liz Earle Superbalm Palmers Coco Oil

More than moisturisers

Get more for your money by using a deeply hydrating potion that does more than just moisturise. Liz Earle Superbalm, £17.25 for 30g rescues parched hands, heels, elbows and lips. You can even use it to smooth ends and de-frizz your hair.
Or try Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil, £9.99 for 150ml. It helps prevent and diminish the appearance of scars, stretch marks, dry damaged skin and fine lines and wrinkles.